Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare

Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare
David Garrick and his Wife by his Temple to Shakespeare at Hampton,
Johan Zoffany, c. 1762
Map
51°24′45″N 0°21′34″W / 51.4124°N 0.3594°W / 51.4124; -0.3594
LocationHampton, London
TypeFolly
MaterialBrick
Beginning date1755
Completion date1756
Dedicated toWilliam Shakespeare
Designations
Listed Building – Grade I
Official nameGarrick's Shakespeare Temple
Designated2 September 1952
Reference no.1065456

Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare is a small garden folly erected in 1756 on the north bank of the River Thames at Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Grade I listed,[1] it was built by the actor David Garrick to honour the playwright William Shakespeare, whose plays Garrick performed to great acclaim throughout his career. During his lifetime Garrick used it to house his extensive collection of Shakespearean relics and for entertaining his family and guests. It passed through a succession of owners until coming into public ownership in the 1930s, but it had fallen into serious disrepair by the end of the 20th century. After a campaign supported by distinguished actors and donations from the National Lottery's "good causes" fund, it was restored in the late 1990s and reopened to the public as a museum and memorial to the life and career of Garrick. It is reputedly the world's only shrine to Shakespeare.[2]

  1. ^ Historic England (2 September 1952). "Garrick's Shakespeare Temple (1065456)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Moore was invoked but never defined (see the help page).